Dietry Diseases

Question 1

Dental caries

Answer 1

sugar in any form will cause tooth decay, but in practice sugars contained naturally in foods, eg fruit, have less effect. Sucrose is the sugar that contributes most to dental decay. It is the frequency and amount of non- milk extrinsic (NME) sugars – mainly confectionery, soft drinks and table sugar – that are the main causes.

Question 2

Dental caries (diet prevention)

Answer 2

Diet
• Foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D must be eaten to give teeth their hardness.
• Vitamin C must be included in the diet to keep the gums healthy.
• Crunchy foods, like apples and carrots, should be eaten regularly to
exercise the gums and prevent infection.
• Eating too much salt/sodium could lead to extraction of calcium from the
bone, thereby weakening the teeth.
• Saliva plays an important part, in that the flow of it over the teeth not only
assists cleaning but helps to neutralise the acid. This is why foods that require a lot of chewing and are not sticky are better because they increase saliva production.
• ‘Diet’ drinks lower the intake of sugar but are a major cause of tooth erosion
(tooth wear) due to the acidity of the drinks. Water should be the preferred
drink.

Question 3

Dental caries (oral hygiene prevention)

Answer 3

• Effective brushing is essential for healthy teeth and gums; brush after each meal when possible, but at least twice a day.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste to strengthen the enamel of teeth.
• Visit the dentist twice a year to have teeth checked.
• Ask the dentist to demonstrate the correct way to brush teeth to prevent a
build-up of plaque.
• Toothbrushes should be in good condition and renewed every 3 months.
• Use dental floss to clean between teeth to prevent a build-up of food
wedged between the teeth. If not removed, this will infect the gums.